Meet the CVUSD Board of Education Members
The Board of Education has five members who are elected by the public to four-year terms. Elections are held in even-numbered years, and terms are staggered so that two or three seats are open at each election.
The Board of Education holds approximately two regular meetings each month. Regular meetings shall generally be held at 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 4400 Alma Ave., Castro Valley CA. The agenda for regular meetings shall be posted on BoardDocs 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting. The agenda for special meetings shall be posted 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting.
Learn more about the CVUSD school board meetings here.
 Term: 12/2020-12/2024
Michael was elected to serve on the Board of Education in 2020. He has worked in public higher education science policy and research administration at the University of California for over 20 years.
Michael is a community organizer and founding member of Castro Valley Matters, where he has supported elected local control for Castro Valley. He organized the “Castro Valley Stands United Against Hate” campaign and helped develop the “Bay Area Stands United Against Hate” campaign. He served as the Chair of the “Yes on Measure G Campaign,” a successful $123 million bond campaign in support of infrastructure improvements for the Castro Valley Unified School District.
Michael is a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he studied Economics and German, and he earned his MA in European Studies at Washington University in St. Louis. Michael and his wife Melissa have lived in Castro Valley since 2009. Their oldest son Teddy is a student at Castro Valley High School, and their younger son Ollie is a student at Creekside Middle School.They both started in Transitional Kindergarten at Castro Valley Elementary School and continued at Chabot Elementary School through fifth grade.
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 Dolly Adams
Trustee Area 1
Vice President / Clerk Term: 12/2020-12/2024
Dolly Adams is a dedicated public school teacher who worked with Castro Valley Unified School District for 21 years of her over 30 year teaching career. Dolly holds a B.S. in Physical Science - Geology and an M.S. as an Education Specialist. As a teacher and parent of two children who attended Castro Valley public schools, she is an advocate for children and their families in education, health care, and the environment. Dolly and her family moved to Castro Valley in Nov. of 1989 because they were seeking a good education for their son. Her daughter was later born at Eden Hospital. Her two children have attended Marshall, Proctor, Canyon, Redwood HS, and CVHS, where her daughter graduated with high honors. Dolly was an executive boardmember with the Castro Valley Teachers Association, securing better conditions for both students and teachers. As a community activist, she has advanced numerous measures to improve education from early childhood to community college. She has served on several local, county, and state organizations as a board member or delegate. Dolly is a curriculum expert with an intricate understanding of the K-12 system, including expertise in general and special education, with particular attention to mental health. Dolly teaches all subjects in high school and is credentialed in Math, English, and Science. Dolly and her fiance, Jaye, love to take walks with their dog Blue and when possible again will continue their weekly Cajun dancing. She has a passion for exploring other cultures, both nationally and internationally, notably she has been to 48/50 states. To relax she practices yoga, an activity she shares with her students. |
Gary C. Howard has served on the Board of Education for 9 years. He received a PhD in biological sciences from Carnegie Mellon University and completed fellowships at Harvard and Johns Hopkins. He worked 22 years as a science editor and writer for the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco and continues to edit and write books. He is vice-president of the Castro Valley-Eden Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Rotary Club of Castro Valley. He and his wife Shirley have lived in Castro Valley for more than 29 years, and their two daughters completed their early education at Proctor School, Creekside Middle School, and Castro Valley High School.
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Sara was elected to serve as a Trustee in 2022. She is the parent of two current CVUSD students and has lived in Castro Valley since 2009. Sara has worked as an attorney for over two decades with much of her career being oriented around advocating for parents and children. As a parent who has spent countless hours as a classroom volunteer during her kids’ elementary school days, Sara has a tangible appreciation for the work our teachers and school staff carry out every day.
Sara is a graduate of Smith College (BA) and Golden Gate University School of Law (JD). In her spare time, you’ll likely find Sara sewing, painting, reading, messing around in the backyard, or otherwise engaged in the daily activities of managing a busy family. As someone who has always loved being involved in local issues and community organizing, Sara is happy to be serving Castro Valley as a Trustee.
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 Lavender Lee Whitaker
Trustee Area 2 [email protected] Term: 12/2020-12/2024 Lavender has lived in Castro Valley for 12 years. She has a 21 year old child who attended CVUSD schools. Lavender has a BS from the University of California, Davis in environmental and energy policy and a MBA in organizational development from the University of California, Davis. Lavender worked for electric utilities (both Federal and public) for 15 years focusing on environmental policy, compliance, and employee innovation. Since March 2019, she has worked as director of environment health and safety for a large biotech company. Her passions are community, to help others that cannot speak for themselves, bring people together, and sustain the environment for generations to come.
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Fatema Saeed
Student Board Member
Term: 8/2024-5/2025 Bio Coming Soon..
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